Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 5120: Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends secs. 2559 & 2950 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2559 & 600.2950). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5121'25, HB 6033'26

HB 5120 eliminates fees for serving documents in personal protection order (PPO) cases. It amends Michigan's civil procedure law to prohibit charging fees for serving process under the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act or for any order issued in a PPO case, including petitions, orders, and related documents. This directly affects PPO petitioners (who no longer pay service fees) and process servers (who cannot charge for these specific services). The bill also clarifies that law enforcement may charge a $50 flat fee from a dedicated fund for multiple PPO-related documents served at once, but not per document. The change aims to remove financial barriers for individuals seeking protection orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates fees for PPO service, removing financial barriers for victims and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim access and protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 259: Civil procedure: statute of limitations; statute of limitations for criminal sexual conduct violations; revise statute of limitations and notice requirements for actions against state government. Amends sec. 6452 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.6452). TIE BAR WITH: SB 258'25, SB 257'25

Senate Bill 259 revises the statute of limitations for certain claims made against the state of Michigan. While most claims against the state remain subject to a three-year filing deadline, this bill specifically exempts claims related to criminal sexual conduct violations from this general time limit (MCL 600.5851b). The bill makes these changes retroactive, applying to relevant legal actions that are currently pending or are filed in the future. This legislation is tied to two other Senate Bills and will only take effect if they are also enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts criminal sexual conduct claims from statute of limitations, extending legal avenues for victims and advancing accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Michigan · House May 1, 2025

HR 80: A resolution to declare May 2025 as Treatment Court Month in the state of Michigan.

House Resolution 80 declares May 2025 as Treatment Court Month in the state of Michigan. This resolution recognizes the role of treatment courts in justice reform and their impact on individuals and communities across Michigan.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill declares Treatment Court Month to recognize justice reform role of treatment courts, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 257: Civil procedure: statute of limitations; civil actions for criminal sexual conduct; extend period of limitations, and add grace period for past occurrences. Amends sec. 5851b of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5851b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 258'25, SB 259'25

Senate Bill 257 extends the time limit for civil lawsuits filed by individuals who were victims of criminal sexual conduct as minors. It raises the age by which a victim can file a claim from 28 to 42 years old and increases the period for filing after discovering the injury from three to seven years. The bill also allows these lawsuits to be brought at any time if a criminal conviction for the

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for minor victims of criminal sexual conduct, enabling delayed civil claims - aligns with victim rights reform in criminal justice95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 13, 2025

HB 4676: Mental health: guardians; appointing certain guardians after considering least restrictive means; require. Amends sec. 602 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1602).

HB 4676 amends Michigan's mental health guardianship law to require courts and guardians to prioritize the "least restrictive means" when appointing guardians for individuals with mental health conditions. This directly affects people needing court-appointed guardianship due to mental health challenges, such as those with severe depression, schizophrenia, or developmental disabilities. The key provision mandates that guardians and courts must first consider less restrictive options - like supported living arrangements or limited guardianship - before imposing full guardianship. This change aims to preserve individual autonomy and minimize unnecessary restrictions on personal decision-making.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrioritizes least restrictive mental health guardianship, reducing unnecessary court involvement and aligning with criminal justice reform principles to address root causes of system involvement.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires courts/guardians to prioritize least restrictive options for mental health guardianship, advancing patient autonomy and care standards in mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 258: Civil procedure: statute of limitations; civil actions for criminal sexual conduct; modify period of limitations. Amends sec. 5805 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5805). TIE BAR WITH: SB 259'25, SB 257'25

Senate Bill 258 amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act of 1961, which governs the time limits for filing civil lawsuits. The bill modifies the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages related to criminal sexual conduct. It achieves this by changing the definition of "criminal sexual conduct" that applies to the 10-year limitation period, directing the definition to a separate

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for civil suits related to criminal sexual conduct, supporting victims' access to justice and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed both · Michigan · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 5125: Crimes: penalties; enhanced penalties for theft of cargo; provide for. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 356e.

HB 5125 would add enhanced penalties for theft of commercial cargo in Michigan. If passed, individuals convicted of stealing cargo (defined as goods in transit via trucks, warehouses, or shipping facilities, excluding direct-to-consumer packages like retail deliveries) could face up to 10 additional years in prison. Prosecutors must specify this enhanced penalty in court documents, and the extra sentence would run consecutively with any other sentences for the same crime. The bill specifically targets theft of large-scale commercial shipments moving through transportation systems.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill adds enhanced penalties (up to 10 years) for cargo theft, increasing sentence severity. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for 'oppose'.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 30, 2025

HB 5155: Criminal procedure: defenses; duress as a defense to murder of the second degree; prohibit. Amends sec. 317 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.317).

HB 5155 amends Michigan's penal code to remove duress as a defense for second-degree murder charges. Specifically, it changes section 317 to explicitly state that being forced to commit a crime (duress) cannot be used to defend against second-degree murder prosecutions. This directly affects defendants accused of second-degree murder who might otherwise claim they were coerced into committing the act. The bill makes no changes to the punishment for second-degree murder, which remains life imprisonment or any term of years at the court's discretion.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves duress defense for second-degree murder, restricting defendant rights in criminal procedure without reform or protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SR 53: A resolution to recognize May 2025 as Treatment Court Month.

This resolution formally recognizes May 2025 as Treatment Court Month. It is a symbolic measure by the Senate to acknowledge the role and work of treatment courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRecognizes treatment courts, which reduce recidivism through rehabilitation - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed both · Michigan · House Sep 29, 2025

HB 4596: Criminal procedure: other; dismissal of charges against a defendant determined incompetent to stand trial; revise. Amends secs. 1034 & 1044 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.2034 & 330.2044).

HB 4596 clarifies the timeline for dismissing criminal charges against defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial in Michigan. It requires charges to be dismissed 15 months after the defendant was initially found incompetent or after they began treatment to become competent - whichever comes first. Prosecutors may refile charges for life felony offenses if the defendant later becomes competent, but only after a court hearing confirming competency. The bill also adds requirements for courts to notify attorneys and medical supervisors when dismissal orders expire or are voided.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets 15-month dismissal timeline for incompetent defendants, prevents indefinite detention, requires competency hearing before re-filing for life felonies - protects defendant rights and due process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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